History of Elmwood Presbyterian Church, 1887-1939, Elmwood, North Carolina

HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
1887-1939, ETMWOOD, NORTH CAROLINA
John K. Fleming
285.1756793
E597h
^orth Carolina State Library
Raleigh
HISTORY OF
Elmwood Presbyterian Church
1887 - 1939
ELMWOOD, NORTH CAROLINA
By
Rev. John K. Fleming
*—
.
, . „_„„_„„_„„_„„ -—. - ,»
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013
http://archive.org/details/historyofelmwoodOOjohn
North Carolina State Library
Raleigh
HISTORY OF
Elmwood Presbyterian Church
1887 - 1939
ELMWOOD, NORTH CAROLINA
By
Rev. John K. Fleming
PREFACE
There are several factors that make the history of a local
Church. They are: the religious influences found among the early
settlers of the community, the steps leading to and culminating in
the Church's organization, the Pastoral administration of each
Minister serving the Church, a record of the Church activities of
the Elders and Deacons and of other leaders in the Church's work,
the organized activities as embraced in the Church's program, and
finally the out-reach of the Church's work in the streams of influ-ence
going out to other communities and Churches in the charac-ter
and service of her sons and daughters. Out of the 275 persons
who during the past fifty years have been members of Elmwood
Presbyterian Church, approximately 84 have had some position
of leadership or particular usefulness in one or more Churches and
communities, or, have had special training by education for such.
To all who assisted me in gathering material for this paper,
I am sincerely grateful. Every one from whom I sought informa-tion
responded most cordially and promptly. Valuable informa-tion
was obtained from the following:
Mr. J. W. Thompson, Clerk of Elmwood Session, who placed
in my hands the Sessional Records, Volumes I and II, and the
Church's Roll Book;
Rev. E. D. Brown, D. D., Pastor of Elmwood Church and
Stated Clerk of Concord Presbytery, who gave me access to the
Presbytery's Records;
Rev. S. M. Tenney, D. D., who supplied me with some im-portant
facts from records filed in The Historical Foundation of
Presbyterian and Reformed Churches, Montreat, N. C.
Several Elmwood members and former members gave me im-portant
information. Of especial assistance in this matter was
Mrs. W. C. Pou. Without her splendid help it would have been
almost impossible to have gathered sufficient material for this
writing.
The main body of this paper was read at the Semi-Centennial
Celebration of Elmwood Presbyterian Church, July 25, 1939.
But additional time was needed for obtaining some important
facts, and that accounts for the little delay in printing. Its prepa-ration
has been a real pleasure to me.
John K. Fleming,
Mount Airy N, C,
Sept. 7, 1939.
2
THE
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Of the Organization of the
ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
JULY 25, 1939
Hymn "Faith of Our Fathers"
Scripture Rev. Earl F. Thompson
Invocation Rev. W. L. Baker
Welcome Address Rev. E. D. Brown, D. D.
Hymn "How Firm a Foundation"
History of the Church Rev. John K. Fleming
Special Music Mrs. Elizabeth Cowan Pressly
"The Lord Is My Shepherd"
Recognition of Former Pastors and Other Members
—
Rev. John K. Fleming
Address Rev. J. Harper Brady
Hymn "Blest Be the Tie That Binds"
Benediction
OUTLINE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
1. Racial and Religious Influences in Western North Carolina.
2. Early Presbyterian Churches in Rowan and Iredell.
3. Third Creek—Mother Church of Elmwcod.
I. Organization of the Church
1. Historical Statement from Sessional Records.
2. The Church Constituted for Service.
II. Ministers Who Have Served Elmwood Church
1. Ministers who preached in Elmwood before the Church was
organized: Rev. A. Walker White, and probably other Third
Creek Pastors immediately preceding him, and Rev. T. J.
Allison.
2. Pastors:
T. J. Allison 1888-1891
R. S. Arrowood 1891-1895
J. E. Summers 1901-1903
T. H. Spence 1905-1907
J. H. Brady 1915-1917
J. A. Smith 1917-1919
J. T. Hall 1919-1920
W. L. Baker 1921-1922
J. E. Robinson 1923-1928
E. D. Brown, D. D 1929-
3. Stated Supplies:
W. J. Tidball 1903-1905
W. S. Wilhelm 1907-1909
Cornelius Miller 1909
L. H. Query 1910-1913
Rev. Noaker (Reformed Minister) 1914
III. Church Officers
1. Ruling Elders:
J. J. Long 1888-1901
Henry L. Fleming 1888-1923
Benjamin E. Arey 1888-1928
R. Thomas Cowan 1902-1910
Robert W. Pou 1910-1919
John A. Arey 1911-1916
4
John W. Thompson 1919-
Walter R. Byford 1920-1922
Samuel K. Carson 1920-
Parks R. Shell 1928-
Jacob H. Shuford 1934-
2. Deacons: Year Installed
W. L. Gilbert 1888
J. A. Wolfe 1888
* R. T. Cowan 1891
J. Avery Early 1902
J. Chap Turner 1 904
John A. Arey 1907
Ralph Fleming 1907
Jesse M. Arey 1909
James Anderson 1911
W. Clarence Pou 1916
G. W. Dry 1919
J. M. Bruner 1920
C. E. Reitzel 1934
3. Church Treasurers:
W. L. Gilbert
J. Chap. Turner
Jesse M. Arey
Miss Es^elle Fleming
W. R. Byford
J. M. Bruner
C. E. Reitzel
W' C. Pou
4. Trustees of the Church:
J. J. Lona, E. E. Arey Elected in 1 888
B. E. Arey, J. A. Early Elected in 1903
J. M. Arev, R. W. Pou. Ed Long Elected in 1909
S. K. Carson. \V. C. Pou. G. W. Dry . Elected in 1922
IV. Organized Activities
1
.
Sunday School—Superintendents and Teachers.
2. Young People's Christian Endeavor Society.
3. The Woman's Auxiliary.
4. Music—Organists and Pianists for the Church.
V. Grounds and Buildings
1. First Services in the J. J. Long Store.
5
2. The Chapel 1887-1911.
3. The Public School Building 1911-1914.
4. Construction of Church—Dedication—S. S. Rooms.
5. Efforts for a Cemetery.
VI. In Ministerial and Missionary Service
1. In the Ministry:
John Kerr Fleming—Ordained in 1922.
Earl Fleming Thompson—Ordained in 1935. •
2. A Foreign Missionary:
Miss Allie May Arey—Missionary to Cuba.
3. A Home Missionary:
Miss Lillie Fleming (Now Mrs. M. G. Lyerly)—Ten years
full time service in Home Missions.
VII. Leaders in Wider Educational Activities
Leaders In Church and Community Life.
Public School Teachers.
Journalists.
Farm Demonstration Agents.
Dairy Experts and Directors.
Leaders in Home Economics.
Conclusion
1. Elmwood Fifty Years Ago and Today.
2. The Heritage—Wider Horizons, Bigger Opportunities.
3. "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Introduction
The early history of western North Carolina is largely the
development of two groups of Colonial Settlers—namely the Ger-man
and Scotch-Irish, who came, mostly from Pennsylvania. The
German group settled for the most part on land west of the
Catawba River, east of the Yadkin River, and in southern Rowan
and Cabarrus Counties, while the Scotch-Irish settled in what is
now western Rowan, part of Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Iredell
Counties.
The earliest Presbyterian Churches in this region were Thya-tira,
Fourth Creek (First Presbyterian Church of Statesville)
,
Third Creek, Bethany, Joppa (Mocksville) , Unity and Back
Creek. Later there came into being the following Churches: Frank-lin,
Salisbury, Bethesda, and Fifth Creek. Surrounded therefore,
as it was and is by these older Churches, one may very readily
conclude that what is now the Elmwood community was from
its earliest days inhabited by a predominant Scotch-Irish Presby-terian
constituency.
The Congregations of Bethesda and Third Creek, and more
especially that of Third Creek Church formed the immediate
background for the organization of Elmwood Church.
It is not known by the writer just when the first Presbyterian
services were held in Elmwood. In 1883 Rev. A. Walker White
became th? Pastor of Third Creek and Fifth Creek Churches.
In 1884 Mr. George F. Shepherd deeded one acre of ground
in Elmwood community to John G. Fleming, John W. Steele,
William A. Luckev, John N. Phifer, and Robert N. Flem-ing,
Trustees of Third Creek Church. Upon this lot near
where Mr. J. H. Shuford's store now is, the Congregation of
Third Creek erected a neat, comfortable manse, Rev. A. W. White
being the first Minister to live in it. These details are related
because there is good reason to believe that the residence of Third
Creek Ministers here had much to do with the origin of the Elm-wood
Church. Mr. White had a schedule of regular services here,
using the upper room of the J. J. Long Store building. This
building, a wooden structure, is still used by Mr. Ed Long, who
succeeded his father as manager of the Mercantile Business. Other
Ministers before the time of Mr. White's Pastorate, may have
preached here, too, but we do not have very definite information
on that point. In 1887, the last year of Mr. White's residence
here, a lot near the home of Mr. Avery Early was donated by
Major P. B. Chambers, and upon it was erected the Elmwood
Chapel, being at that time a part of the work of Third Creek
Church. Regular services were then held in the new Chapel by
Mr. White and the succeeding Ministers.
7
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
I. Organization of the Church
The following Historical Statement taken from Volume I
Sessional Records .gives a full and accurate account of the organi-zation
of Elmwood Church:
"In the month of August and first part of September, 1888,
a petition was circulated among the citizens of Elmwood, N. C,
and surrounding community which received fifty-three signatures
from persons, who, either desired the organization of a Presby-terian
Church at Elmwood, N. C, or were favorable to such
organization.
"This petition was presented to Concord Presbytery in session
at Taylorsville, N. C, September 14-17, 1888, asking that a
Commission be appointed to visit Elmwood, and organize a
Church, if the way be clear. The Presbytery by unanimous vote,,
granted the request of the petitioners, and aopointed on that Com-mission
the following persons: Rev. W. A. Wood, D. D., Rev.
William W. Pharr, Rev. J. A. Ramsay, The Honorable A. Leazar,
John K. Graham, Esquire, Professor J. H. Hill, and Dr. J. R. B.
Adams.
"This Commission met, pursuant to the call of the Chairman,
in Elmwood Chapel, Elmwood, N. C, on December 12, 1888.
All members of the Commission were present except Mr. Leazar.
"After the regular organization of the Commission, Elmwood
Church was organized according to prescribed form in the Book
of Church Order. The persons who entered into this organiza-tion,
are the following: Mrs. M. M. Fleming, J. J. Gilbert, W. L.
Gilbert and wife, Victoria Gilbert (and their baptized child,
Mary Elizabeth), Mrs. M. M. Wood (and her baptized children,
D. Burton and Leonidas Cowan), Miss Maggie N. Wood, James
S. Wood, J. A. Wolfe and wife, Sarah J. Wolfe (and their bap-tized
children, Joseph Blythe, James Hunter, Charles Howard,
Alexander Burette, and Emma Cornelia) , Miss Mary E. Nola
Wolfe, R. T. Cowan and wife, Annie E. Cowan (and their bap-tized
children, Benjamin Allen, Katie McNeill, James Knox,
Annie, Thomas Howard, and Elmer Gillespie) . Mrs. Matilda
Poston, and Mrs. 'Lillie S. Childress on Certificate from Third
Creek Church; Henry Fleming (and his baptized children, Mar-garet
Jane, Annie Adelia, Ralph Harvev, and Laura Estelle)
,
Benjamin E. Arey and wife, Mary Davis Arey (and their baptized
children, Bessie May and John Allen), E. E. Arey and wife, Alice
E. Arey (and their baptized children, Charles Cornelius, Lottie
Raynor, Margaret, Loretta, Forest Herbert, William Floyd, Oscar
Homer, Jessie Marvin, and Edwin Burton), Mrs. Sarah E. Beard,
Mrs. Annie E. Hauser (and her baptized son, Claude Lee), and
A. Franklin Beard, on Certificate from Bethesda Church; J. J.
8
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH X\
Long and wife, Mary Long, and Miss Cora A. Long, on Certifi-cate
from High Point Church; Mrs. Nettie Allison (and her
baptized children, Thomas <§. Allison, James C. Allison, and
Charles Walter Allison) on Certificate from Mebaneville Church:
Howard Banks on Certificate from Asheville Church; and Mrs.
M. J. Arey, wife of B. E. Arey, on Certificate from Statesville
Church.
"J. J. Long, Benjamin E. Arey and Henry Fleming were
elected, ordained and installed as Elders. William L. Gilbert was
elected, ordained and installed as Deacon. J. A. Wolfe was elected
and installed as Deacon, having been a Deacon in Third Creek
Church.
"This having been a mission on the border line between Third
Creek Church and Bethesda Church, (but within the work of
Third Creek Church), has been served by Rev. T. J. Allison
since he assumed the Pastorate of Third Creek Church December 1,
1887. The Ministers who served Third Creek Church previous
to the services of the present Pastor, and also of Bethesda Church
had served this point, giving as much time as they could to it for
several years. A Chapel was built and completed in the fall of
1887 on a lot of ground donated by Major P. B. Chambers.
This communitv has been the place of residence for the Pastors
of Third Creek Church for years."
Thus, Elmwood Church began its organized work in 1888
with a Minister, a membership of twenty-eight Charter Com-municants
and thirty baptized children, three Ruling Elders, and
two Deacons.
II. Ministers—Pastors and Stated Supplies
We will now consider the record of the various Ministers
—
Pastors and Stated Supplies of Elmwood Church. Elmwood's
first Pastor was REV. THOMAS JOHNSTON ALLISON, who was
born in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Mary 30, 1849. He
took his College work at Davidson, and graduated from Union
Theological Seminary, Richmond, Va., in 1874. He was then
licensed by Concord Presbytery, and the following year was
ordained by Orange Presbytery. Before beginning his work here
he had served the following Churches: Tarboro, Rockingham,
Lumberton, and Mebaneville. As already noted, in December,
1887, he began his Pastorate of Third Creek and Fifth Creek
Churches, and was the second Minister to live in the Third Creek
Manse located in Elmwood community. Part of his work con-
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
\t
sisted in conducting regular preaching services in the new Elm-wood
Chapel already erected. It was during the first year of his
Ministry here that Elmwood was formally organized as a Church.
He served this Church from December, 1888, through March,
1889, as Stated Supply. In April of that year the Church ex-tended
him a call for regular Pastoral services, promising the salary
of $120.00 per year which it paid regularly and in full. The
Church had a steady and substantial growth in membership dur-ing
this Pastorate which continued till the spring of 1891. In
that year Mr. Allison became Evangelist for Savannah Presbytery,
later serving Sugaw Creek, Belmont, Bryson, and Murphy
Churches. In 1907 and 1908 he was Associate Editor of the
Presbyterian Standard. He died in Charlotte, N. C May 22,
1919.
Rev. ROBERT S. Arrowood was Elmwood's second Pastor.
Coming from his Ministry in Bethpage Church, he moved his
family to Elmwood in the summer of 1891 and immediately
began his Pastorate of Elmwood, Fifth Creek, Third Creek, Unity
and Franklin Churches. His Pastoral duties continued here until
November, 1895, when he moved into the Manse at Woodleaf.
Resigning at Elmwood, he continued his services in the other
Churches of the group until 1904.
J. E. SUMMERS: Mr. J. E. Summers, a Ruling Elder in Con-cord
Church, who had been doing Mission work in Catawba
and Iredell Counties in 1895, was licensed by Concord Presby-tery
in 1896, serving Fifth Creek and Elmwood as a Licentiate
until 1901. On April 26, 1901, he was ordained to the full
Gospel Ministry by a Commission from Presbytery in the Elm-wood
Church, Elmwood having extended him a call for his
Pastoral services. The Third Creek Manse having burned while
it was vacant in 1896, Mr. Summers lived on the B. E. Arey farm
back of the Arey home. He served this Church until the fall of
1903 when he accepted a Pastorate in Mecklenburg Presbytery.
Later he moved to Poplar Tent Church where he died in 1914. It
was while he was Pastor of Poplar Tent, 1907-1914, that he was
Stated Clerk of Concord Presbytery. Mr. Summers was a very
lovable man, and is remembered yet for his great interest in the
children. During the last month of his Pastorate here in the fall
of 1903, Rev. William Black, D. D., p-eached in a Meeting
which was one of the greatest revivals experienced by Elmwood,
about thirty people uniting with the Church. Quite a number of
them, however, were from adjacent communities, and immedi-ately
transferred their membership to their respective family
Churches.
Rev. W. J. TlDBALL became the Stated Supply of Elmwood
in the fall of 1903, serving this Church along with Taylorsville
10
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
and Mocksville until the spring of 1905. Mr. Tidball had excellent
gifts as a teacher. In addition to his experience as Pastor in sev-eral
fields, he had for a period of five years been Professor of
Hebrew and New Testament Exegesis in Austin Theological Semi-nary,
Austin, Texas. All who knew him were impressed by his
profound scholarship.
The next Pastor was REV. T. H. SPENCE, who began his
work here in the summer of 1905. This marked the beginning
of his Pastorate also of Third Creek, Unity, and Cleveland
Churches. This was JVlr. Spence's first held of service after gradu-ating
from Columbia Theological Seminary. Born in Ulster, Ire-land,
a Protestant of Protestants, he brought to his work many
of the great qualities of the Scotch-Irish, such for instance as
deep religious convictions, loyalty to a great cause, and steadfast-ness
in the faith. Mr. Spence resigned in 1907. His later Pasto-rates
were in Smithfield, N. C, and Rocky River Church in Ca-barrus
Countv. His last work was as Stated Sunnlv of Patterson
Churrb. near Concord, N. C, where he died in 1937.
Elmwood vow entered noon its longest period of Pastoral
vacancy, extending from 1907 to 1915, though durin^ mo't of
that time it had the regular services of Stated Suoolies. REV. W. S.
WlLHELM came in that capacity in 1907, preaching also for Fifth
Creek, Bethesda, Troutman, and Barium Springs Churches. In
1909 he gave up his work here that he might become the Pastor
of the Little River grouo of Churches in Orange Presbytery.
In the fall of 1909 the Session entered into arrangements with
Presbytery's Home Mission Committee to employ REV. CORNE-LIUS
MILLER as temporary Supply, he having accented a call to
Third Creek Church. But about that time there was a complete
breakdown in Mr. Miller's health which prevented his serving
this Congregation.
REV. L. H. QUERY was the next Stated Supply, coming in
1910 and serving till the spring of 1913. During this time he
was Pastor of Fifth Creek Church.
During the summer of 1913 the Church was supplied through
the services of Mr. J. Harper Brady, then a student in Union
Theological Seminary. In the year 1914 Rev. Noaker, a Min-ister
of the Reformed Church, living in Salisbury, supplied the
Pulpit.
In the summer of 1915 the long period of Pastoral vacancy
was broken through the coming of REV. J. HARPER BRADY to this,
his first Pastorate which included also Fifth Creek and Bethesda
Churches. He had already endeared himself to the people through
the fine summer's work of 1913. So now, the Church entered
upon an era of remarkable interest in spiritual things. The little
paper, "My Helper," which Mr. Brady edited and published from
11
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
time to time, was a source of much good in stimulating the peo-ple's
interest and keeping them informed on matters of impor-tance
and progress in the three Churches of this Pastorate. His
revival of the Young People's Christian Endeavor Society, his
promotion of the work of the Woman's Auxiliary in its early
stages, and his zeal in raising funds with which to help pay off
the Building Debt—all these, together with his fine example of
Christian earnestness and thorough consecration—meant much
in the development of the Church's work and to its interest in the
various Kingdom enterprises. Mr. Brady remained in this work
until the summer of 1917. He then resigned, and sailed for the
Far East, where ever since he has been an efficient Missionary
of the Gospel to Japan.
In October, 1917, Rev. J. A. Smith was installed as Pastor
of Elmwood Church. He came to this work from the Synod
of South Carolina, though in early life he had been a Minister
in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Suffering a par-tial
stroke of Paralysis, he gave up the work of Elmwood in 1919.
His death came in 1923. He was regarded as an excellent preacher,
and was much beloved by the people of his Churches.
REV. J. T. HALL, then Pastor of Third Creek Church, served
Elmwood as Stated Supply during the summer of 1919. In the
fall of that year he accepted a call from Elmwood Church to
become its Pastor. He had been a Missionary to Cuba, and mani-fested
much of the Missionary's zeal in his labors here. It was
under his administration that the new Church was finally com-pleted,
Pews and Sunday School Rooms also being constructed.
In the fall of 1920 Mr. Hall resigned his Pastorate here that he
might accept work in Lafayette Presbytery.
The Church was now without the services of a regular Pastor
from September, 1920, until Mav, 1921. During part of the
fall season REV. W. T. WALKER, Superintendent of Barium
Springs Orphanage, supplied the Church. His counsel and serv-ices
were a great help during this vacancy. It may be noted that
he did not serve strictly as a Stated Supply, that is, he was not
employed as such, his duties at the Orphanage being too numerous
to allow him to take on this responsibility. Rather his services
especially timely and helpful during the week, October 17-24.
During that week Dr. William Black, Synod's Evangelist,
preached here in another Meeting, which, in many respects,
was even more far reaching in its results than the one
in 1903. With him were his Song Leader, Mr. Burr, and
also Miss Margaret Overcash, from Statesville, who served as
Pianist for the Meeting. These services drew the largest attendance
ever assembled in this Church. The fine spiritual influences of this
Meeting were felt in many ways. Besides cultivating a very earnest
devotional life in the members of the Church, and leading a large
12
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
number of Christians to a sincere reconsecration, this Meeting
reached twenty-five people in a Profession of Faith, a number of
Churches receiving members through these results. At the con-clusion
of the Meeting the Session wrote into its records a deep
appreciation for the great blessings that came to the Church and
community through Dr. Black's compaign of Evangelism.
Elmwood's next Pastor was Rev. W. L. Baker, who came
in the spring of 1921, serving also Cleveland and Bethesda
Churches. He continued until the fall of 1922 when he accepted
calls to Candor and Biscoe Churches in Mecklenburg Presbytery.
He is now Pastor of Union Church, Gastonia, N. C. Mr. Baker's
sound Gospel preaching, his able leadership, and good judg-ment
meant much to the life and work of this Church.
REV. J. E. ROBINSON was the next Pastor, coming in the
spring of 1923. He was also the Pastor of Third Creek and Be-thesda
Churches. His work continued here until 1928 when he
resigned to accept the Clinchfield Mission work near Marion,
N. C. Mr. Robinson labored here with great evangelistic Zeal-and
with good success, he himself doing the preaching in most
of his revival meetings. It was during his Pastorate that this
Church reached its highest peak in amount raised on Pastor's
Salary, $420.00 per year. Mr. Robinson, who has since gone to
his glorious reward, was a faithful Pastor, sound and evangelical
in his preaching, and was well liked by the Congregation. As a
devoted member of this Church has said: "He was so earnest,
such a hard worker. He made a person just want to be a Chris-tian."
Since the summer of 1929 Rev. E. D. BROWN. D. D., has
been the faithful and efficient Pastor of this flock, having the
confidence and love of all the people. Dr. Brown's Pastorate thus
far of ten years, has the distinction of being the longest that Elm-wood
has yet had in her history of half a century. Besides his
Pastoral duties, Dr. Brown renders valuable service to the Church
in many other ways. In 1922 he was Moderator of the Synod
of North Carolina. He has several times been a Commissioner to
the General Assemblv, is a member of the Board of Trustees of
Davidson College, also of Union Theological Seminary, and is
Stated Clerk of Concord Presbytery.
Elmwood has thus, in fifty years been served by ten Pastors
and four Stated Supplies.
III. Officers of the Church
1. Ruling Elders. A study of the Sessional Records shows
that from the very beginning of the organized work of this
Church, the members of the Session have been men of earnest
13
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
faith, of upright Christian character, who took seriously their
duties as Officers of the Church. They have largely been influ-ential
men, men of ability, who have not only served faithfully
and efficiently their Church and community here, but some of
them have rendered a large service to the State in specialized work.
We have already noted that on the day the Church was organ-ized
in 1888, the Congregation elected three men to the Eldership,
and that they were ordained and installed by Presbytery's Com-mission.
These were BENJAMIN E. Arey, Henry L. FLEMING,
and J. J. LONG, men of consecration and prayer, men who were
earnestly devoted to the cause of their Saviour. Mr. Long had
moved from High Point, N .C. Coming to Elmwood, he estab-lished
himself in business as a merchant. He was also Postmaster
for the little village. Immediately after the Church was organ-ized,
he was elected Clerk of the Session, and served efficiently
in that capacity for thirteen years until his death in 1901. His
death was greatly mourned by his fellow Church Officers and
members. Mr. Arey and Mr. Fleming were farmers, citizens of
the finest type, men whose example and influence counted for
righteousness in their community. They served their Church
long and well as Elders, Mr. Fleming's death occurring in 1923
and that of Mr. Arey in 1928.
One of Elmwood's most faithful Officers was Mr. R. T.
COWAN who was elected, ordained and installed to the Eldership
in 1902. He died in 1910, having been a Ruling Elder for eight
years. During the whole period of his Eldership he was Clerk of
the Session, and for a much longer period was Superintendent of
the Sunday School.
R. W. Pou was made an Elder in 1910 and served as such
till he moved in 1919 to Winston-Salem, N. C. In him the
Church had a wise counsellor, an able leader, a good teacher of
the Scriptures, and an influential man always interested in pro-moting
the public good. While Mr. Pou was here he was Super-intendent
of the Kilgore Farm, formerly known as the Chambers
Plantation. In 1 9 1 9 he became Farm Demonstration Agent for
Forsyth County. He has continued his active interest in religious
work, and has taught the Bible Class in the Reynolda Presby-terian
Church, Winston-Salem, N. C. since he removed to Forsyth
County in 1919.
In 1911 JOHN A. AREY was elected and ordained an Elder.
He served faithfully in that office till 1916 when his work
required a change of residence. The records show that for several
years he acted in the capacity as Clerk of the Session. He gradu-ated
from State College in 1909, where he specializd in Agricul-ture
and Dairying. In 1910 he took a year of Post-Graduate
work in State College, serving also as one of the Instructors dur-
14
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
ing the year. In 1912 he took a special course in Dairy work
in Washington, D. C. For the next four years he was Farm
Demonstration Agent for Iredell County. Moving to Raleigh,
N. C, in 1916, he was made Director of the Dairy Division of
the North Carolina Extension Service. He holds that position
today.
The election of J. W. THOMPSON to the Eldership came in
1919. Mr. Thompson is a successful and progressive farmer.
Immediately after becoming an Elder he was made Clerk of the
Session, and is today faithfully serving his Church in that capac-ity.
His term of service as Clerk has thus far been the longest of
anyone in this Church.
In 1920 Messrs. W. R. BYFORD and S. K. Carson were
elected Elders. Mr .Byfcrd is a native of England, but has spent
most of his life in this country. He was formerly with the States-ville
Show Case Company, and is now a representative of the
Morrison Furniture Company. Mr. Byford served faithfully as
Elder. In the fall of 1922 he transferred his membership to Front
Street Church, Statesville, N. C, later moving his membership to
Christ's Episcopal Church, Cleveland, N. C. Mr. Carson has
continued his relationship as a member of this Session. His
ability as a leader, and as a teacher of the Bible have been of great
benefit in the work of this Church.
P. R. SHELL, who is Freight and Passenger Agent for the
Southern Railway Company, whose work was formerly in Elm-wood
and now is in Conover. was made an Elder in 1928. He
is serving faithfully in the Eldership today. His quiet and un-assuming
life, and his interest in the things that make for the
betterment of the community, these provide a good wholesome
influence so helpful to one's generation.
The last election of an Elder in this Church was that of J. H.
SHUFORD, which took place in 1934. His experience as a busi-ness
man along with his active interest in the work of the King-dom,
make him a useful vessel for his Lord.
So, during the last fifty years in the life of Elmwood Church
there have been eleven Ruling Elders. The members of the
Session at present arc: J. W. Thompson, Clerk; S. K. Carson,
P. R. Shell, and J. H. Shuford.
2. Deacons. During most of the time for the past fifty years,
Elmwood has had some Diaconate Service, though during much
of the time it has not had as many Deacons as Elders. Some
who had once been Deacons were later made Elders, including
R. T. Cowan and John A. Arey.
The following men have served as Deacons here: W. L. Gil-bert
and J. A. Wolfe, elected in 1888: R. T. Cowan in 1891,
J. A. Early in 1902, J. Chap Turner in 1904, John A. Arey
15
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
and Ralph Fleming in 1907, Jesse M. Arey in 1909, James
Anderson, a young Scotchman, in 1911, W. C. Pou in 1916,
G. W. Dry in 1919, J. M. Bruner in 1920, and C. E. Reitzel in
1934. The present Deacons are W. C. Pou and C. E. Reitzel.
3. Church Treasurers. Those who have served as Treasurer
of this Church have been: W. L. Gilbert, J. Chap Turner, James
Anderson, J. M. Arey, W. R. Byford, J. M. Bruner, W. C. Pou,
P. R. Shell, and C. E. Reitzel. One of the most efficient treas-urers
was Miss Estelle Fleming, who, by request of the Session,
served in that capacity for several years. At the time of her resig-nation
in 1920, the Session by resolution recorded its deep appre-ciation
for her faithful and consecrated services as Treasurer of
the Church. There may have been others who served as Treasurer
whose names we are unable to recall at this late day.
4. Trustees of the Church. The Trustees of the Church have
been: E. E. Arey and J. J. Long elected in 1888; B. E. Arey and
J. A. Early in 1903; J. M. Arey, R. W. Pou and Ed Long in
1909; S. K. Carson, W. C. Pou and G. W. Dry in 1922.
IV. Organized Activities
Though the scope of Elmwood's work has always been small,
yet its members have ever been acitve both in study and in pro-motion
of the various causes of the Church.
From the very first the Church has had a Sunday School which
has continued through all these years without the lapse of a single
month. The first action of the Session on December 15, 1888, was
the appointment of Mr. E. P. Penick as Superintendent of the
Sunday School, with Mr. Howard A. Banks as Assistant Super-intendent
and Treasurer. At that time Mr. Banks, son of a
Presbyterian Minister, was teaching school in the Elmwood com-munity.
He was a graduate of Davidson College. Later David-son
conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Literature. In
after years when his literary ability had received wide recognition,
he rose to national prominence—first in the Navy Department
as Private Secretary to Josephus Daniels, and later as Editor of
the Sunday School Times, published in Philadelphia. He became
the most distinguished and renowned man among all the people
who have been members of Elmwood Church. Following Messrs.
Penick and Banks, other men who have served as Superintendent
of this Sunday School have been: Henry L. Fleming, J. J. Long,
E. E. Arey, R. T. Cowan, R. W. Pou, James Anderson, W. C.
Pou, Claude Thompson, S. K. Carson, Cecil Kinder, and J. H.
Shuford. Mr. Shuford is the present Superintendent, whose faith-fulness
and devotion to duty are much appreciated.
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HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
As compared with many other Sunday Schools, the Teachers
here have been an unusually faithful group. After fifty years, it
is perhaps impossible to recall the names of all who have helped
in this work, but the following are known to have served as
teachers in the Elmwood Sunday School: Messrs. R. T. Cowan,
R. W. Pou, James Anderson, John A. Arey, John K. Fleming,
W. C. Pou, S. K. Carson, Joe Bill Pou, J. W. Thompson, Jr.;
Mesdames H. L. Fleming, B. E. Arey, E. E. Arey, J. M. Bruner,
Lottie Arey Walker, Lola Arey Long, J. A. Early, Bessie Arey
Cowan, Helen Long Gulledge, Katie Cowan Atwell, Mary Arey
Pou, Beulah Arey Eubanks, Ney Templeton, W. R. Byford, Ruth
Fleming Bruner, S. K. Carson, Lottie Fleming Bruner, C. E.
Reitzel, Kate Fleming Thompson, Ruth Isenhour Thompson,
Mary Wood Thompson Di Costanzo, J. H. Shuford, Loyce
Clendenin Kinder, and Misses Margaret Houck, Mary Davis Pou,
Lois Shell Fespcrman, Sallic Hair, Estelle Fleming, Edith Robin-son,
Catherine Thompson.
Sunday School Library. A matter of very great importance
and which aroused considerable interest was the Sunday School
Library, which seems to have been established somewhere between
1890 and 1900. In those years practically none of the Rural
Public Schools had any Library service, and it could rarely be
found even in the larger Sunday Schools. It is thought that
the Elmwood Sunday School Library was the first one established
in this section of the country. In this Library were religious
books, also books in the field of general classical literature of the
highest character. These were loaned to members of the Sunday
School, a regularly appointed Librarian keeping definite records.
One of the first Librarians was Allen Cowan. He gave a good
many years in this important service. Why this Library service
was finally discontinued, we do not know. But it was most
likely due to the fact that small libraries began to be established
in all the Public Schools, and so, provided wider opportunities to
the children and young people in their general reading.
Christian Endeavor Society. In the spring of 1910 a Young
People's Christian Endeavor Society was organized which func-tioned
until about 1925. This organization afforded fine oppor-tunities
to the young people for training in leadership, expression
of ideas, and development of the devotional life.
The Woman's Auxiliary in this Church had its beginning in
1915. In March of that year Mrs. E. D. Brown, then living
in Loray, N. C, came and organized the women of this Church.
From that time on, the Woman's Work in Elmwood Churrh
has been affiliated with the Concord Presbyterial Auxiliary. It
is organized according to the Assembly's Plan of Woman's Work
under which our women study and contribute to all the causes
17
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
of the Church. As we shall see in another paragraph, they had
a glorious part in helping with construction of the Church Build-ing.
The earliest records of the Auxiliary have been lost, but
enough is recalled by the members so that a full list of the first
Officers can be given here. They were: President, Mrs. Mary
Arey Pou; Vice President, Mrs. Ney Templeton; Secretary, Mrs.
Ruth Fleming Bruner, and Treasurer, Miss Estelle Fleming. The
present Officers are: President, Mis. Kate Fleming Thompson;
Vice President, Mrs. Mary Arey Pou: Secretary, Mrs. Blanche
Steele Reitzel, and Treasurer, Mrs. J. H. Shuford. The Auxiliary
Jias just concluded the best year it has had in six years or longer,
having contributed in the Cnurch Year 1938-1939 a total of
$152.00 to all purposes.
Music has an important place in the devotional and worship
life of any Church, and this fact has not been overlooked by the
people of Elmwood Church. From time to time an acquaintance
with the great hymns was cultivated through regular weekly
gatherings of the young people and also older members for singing.
A Singing School in which shaped notes were taught was held
about 1891 or 1892. A second Singing School conducted by
Mr. Joe Leonard, a singing school master, v/as held in 1905 or
1906. This was of great benefit in the life of the Church.
During most of her life the Church has had the use of some
kind of musical instrument in its public worship. Mr. J. A.
Wolfe led the singing before an organ was procured. The Wolfe
family has since moved to the state of Texas. Sometime in the
early "90's" a little box organ was obtained and this was used for
several years. It was perhaps about the year 1900 that a new
organ was bought. For a number of years the Church has had
a nice piano, the one that is used now.
According to best recollections the following have been regular
Organists and; Pianists: Mesdames W. L. Gilbert, Bessie Arey
Cowan, May Dotson Steele, Fannie Long Norwood, Lola Arey
Long, Beulah Arey Eubanks, Lottie Fleming Bruner, Pauline Shell
Beaver, and Misses Bertha Hair and Kate Robinson. Also, the
following gave considerable time in playing for the Church
Services: Misses Mag Stein, Emma Shepherd, Mary McNeely, Lois
Shell Fesperman and Mrs. Mary Wood Thompson Di Costanzo.
V. Grounds and Buildings
As already noted, the First Presbyterian Services prior to 1887
were held in the upper room of Mr. J. J. Long's Store Building.
Mr. Long being not only an influential citizen, but being actively
interested in religious work and devoted to his Church, gladly
18
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
and freely gave this space for services until a building more suitable
for public worship could be obtained.
The Chapel. The lot on which the Chapel was erected in
1887, was donated by Major P. B. Chambers. Men of the com-munity
went into the woods, cut down trees and had them sawed
into lumber, and in fact, did most of the work in construction
of the Chapel. When definite plans had been made for the new
and permanent structure for worship, the lot together with the
Chapel were sold to Mr. Avery Early. The Chapel building is
used today as a barn.
The Church Building. A Building Fund for the new Church
was started about 1900 or soon thereafter, Mrs. Lola Arey Long
securing the first subscriptions.
About 1898 and continuing approximately twenty years,
the Sunday School had an annual picnic in the beautiful Shepherd
Grove near the Railway Station. In its early years it was
attended by large numbers of people. Ice Cream and Lemonade
were sold at these picnics, the proceeds being divided equally be-tween
the Building Fund and Barium Springs Orphanage. A
group of children from the Orphanage always came over to the
picnic and gave an interesting program.
On November 18, 1909. in a Congregational Meeting mod-erated
by Rev. C. A. Monroe, a Building Committee was ap-pointed
composed of Jesse M. Arey, R. W. Pou, and Ed Long.
In 1911 the old lot and Chapel having been sold, all Church
services and meetings were held in the Elmwood Public School
Building for the next three years. The lot on which the Church
now stands was given by the family of R. T. Cowan. An addi-tional
plot of ground adjoining the one given by the Cowans,
was donated by the George F. Shepherd heirs. The two lots con-tain
ample space for aH necessary buildings and a Cemetery.
Construction on the Church was started in the fall of 1913
under the active direction of J .M. Arey, Chairman of the Build-ing
Committee. In the early stages of construction a great deal
of work was donated by the members, while the work requiring
skilled labor was done through a contract given to Mr. Leroy
Steele, of Statesville, N. C. The dimensions of the building are
40x^0 feet. By the spring of 1914 construction had progressed
to the point where the building could be used. Much of the
inside work, including the finished flooring and overhead ceiling,
remained to be done. A great deal of this was done at various
intervals during the next few years. In the meantime the Officers
of the Church had borrowed five hundred dollars from Mr. James
Knox to help bring the building to the place where it could be
used. In the summer of 1917 the Woman's Auxiliarv asked for
the privilege of carrying the Knox note. This being agreed to,
1'9
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Rev. J. Harper Brady, who had just resigned as Pastor, was in-vited
to participate in the Dedicatory Services. He returned, there-fore,
before sailing to Japan, and preached the Dedication Sermon.
It was a day of great rejoicing in the life of this Church.
After such a long period of time, it is rather difficult at this
writing, to determine the full cost of the building. In 1914 it
was thought that the building when complete, would cost from
three thousand to three thousand five hundred dollars. The
money was raised in various ways, such as proceeds from the Sun-day
School Picnics, from Ice Cream Suppers, and Bazaars, from
a play given by members of the Church in 1916 entitled "From
Far Japan," Special Collections, Subscriptions, etc. In 1919 the
Session and members of the First Presbyterian Church in Salisbury
gave $140.00 toward final completion of the Church, construc-tion
of the Pews and Sunday School Rooms. This was supple-mented
by new donations from members of the Elmwood Church,
so that when the work was fully completed no indebtedness
remained. The construction work handled in 1919 was done
through a contract given to Mr. J. M. Bruner. In all this
building effort which covered a good many years, there was much
sacrifice, proving the spirit of real devotion to the Church on the
part of its members.
The Cemetery. Through all these years members of Elm-wood
Church have had in mind the definite establishment of a
Cemetery. As early as August, 1890, the Session met and "Ap-pointed
the following persons to select a suitable place for a
Grave Yard at this place: B. E. Arey, W. L. Gilbert, and J. J.
Long." On February 5, 1891, there is this Minute in the Ses-sional
Records: "The Committee appointed to look after a suitable
place for a Cemetery, reported that such grounds could be obtained
of Mr. J. J. Gilbert. After which a Congregational Meeting was
called to meet at the Chapel Wednesday night, February 11,
1891." And following the account just given from the Sessional
Records, I quote here the recollections of Mr. Allen Cowan on
this matter. "About 1 890 or 1 892 the Officers as well as the mem-bers
of Elmwood Church decided the Church should have a Bury-ing
Ground. A Committee was named to select and purchase a
site. To the best of my recollection, Mr. J. J. Gilbert donated
one acre of ground for this purpose. The location of same was
about one-fourth of a mile west of the old Cowan place in the
pines. The members of the Church gathered and cleared the
ground. Roads entering from east and west were repaired, etc.
The first grave was that of an infant, and the second that of a
lady. Both were of the community, though neither, I think,
had any connection with Elmwood Church. The third grave, and
first member of Elmwood Church buried here, was of Hubert
20
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Arey, baptised son of Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Arey. Some years
after, largely due, I believe, to location of the burying ground,
many lost interest in same. Mr. E. E. Arey purchased a lot in
Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville, and moved the remains of his
son Hubert there. The next person buried in the cemetery was
my mother, Annie Knox Cowan, whose body was later moved
to the cemetery at Third Creek Church. No others were buried
there, that I know of, and in a few years the burying ground was
abandoned, possibly around 1895. The land reverted back to the
Gilberts." As pointed out on another page, the ground occupied
at present and given by the Cowan and Shepherd Families, is
ample for all necessary buildings and a Cemetery. Hence, definite
plans were made a few years ago by the Church for part of this
ground to be used in Burial Purposes. In a regular Congrega-tional
Meeting held in the Church on February 12, 1922, this
action was taken "To elect a Committee of three for the purpose
of mapping out and arranging for a Cemetery, the Committee to
consist of J. \V. Thompson, J. M. Bruner, and Flake Davis."
VI. Members Entering Ministerial and Missionary Work
Two former members of Elmwood Church are today in the
Gospel Ministry, and two of its ladies have entered into Mis-sionary
work. A brief sketch of each is given here.
JOHN KERR FLEMING was born near Elmwood. N. C, in
1892. He united with Third Creek Church when a boy, and in
1914 moved his membership to Elmwood. His High School work
was done at Mount Ulla, N. C, and Pikeville, N. C after which
he attended Davidson College. During the World War he served
with the American Expeditionary Forces, first in Company B,
306th Military Police, and later in Headquarters Company, 15 5th
Infantry. Returning from France in 1919, he entered Union
Theological Seminary from which he graduated in 1922. H?
was licensed bv Concord Presbytery and ordained by Wilminqton
Presbytery. He was Pastor at Acme, N. C, 1922 >o 1924;
Gilbert, West Virginia. 1925 to 1926: and Thomasville. N. C .
1926 to 1934. In 193 5 he accepted a call to Flat Rock Church,
Mount Airv, N. C. and is serving in that field today.
The other member of Elmwood Church entering the Min-istry
was EARL FLEMING THOMPSON, who was born near Elm-wood.
N. C. in 1909. In 1919 he united with Third Creek
Church, and a few weeks later transferred his membership to Elm-wood.
He graduated from Davidson College in 1931 and from
Union Seminary in 19 34. He was licensed by Concord Presby-
21
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
tery in September, 1934, serving for the next six months as
Stated Supply of Front Street Church, Statesville, N. C. He
was ordained by Kings Mountain Presbytery May 5, 1935, and
for the next two years was Pastor of Union Mills and Brittain
Churches. His present Pastorate is that of Lake Waccamaw and
Ashwood Churches in Wilmington Presbytery, which he accepted
in 1937.
The one member of Elmwood Church who has entered the
active work of Foreign Missions is MlSS ALLIE May AREY. The
daughter. of E. E. Arey, and member of one of the most loyal
Christian homes of the community, she united with this Church
on Profession of Faith in 1903. She graduated from Mitchel
College about the year 1910 or 1911, later taking Post-Graduate
work in the University of Alabama, and White's Bible School,
New York. She thus entered upon her life's work splendidly
equipped, both with consecration and devotion to high ideals,
and with excellent educational qualifications. She has been a
Missionary to Cuba since about the year 1918, serving as a
teacher in the Presbyterian School of Cordenas, Cuba. She has
had part on the program of many Foreign Mission Conferences
and other Church Meetings in this country, and has spoken in
every state except two.
Elmwood has also had one member to devote considerable
time in Home Mission work. This is MRS. LlLLIE FLEMING
LYERLY. When a small girl she united with Third Creek Church,
and later transferred her membership to Elmwood. She gradu-ated
from Mitchel College in 1917 and devoted the next two
years to teaching, one year as Principal of Central High School
in Rowan County, and one year as Principal of the Wentworth
High School, Wentworth, N. C. She then entered the Assembly's
Training School from which she graduated in 1921. After
pursuing her studies in Richmond, she devoted almost ten years
to work in various Home Mission Fields, serving one summer in
Carol County, Virginia, four years in Gilbert, West Virginia,
and for five years as Director of Young People's Work in the
Second Presbyterian Church, Lexington, North Carolina.
VII. Leaders In Educational Activities
Elmwood Church has always been in the class of small
Churches so far as the number of members is concerned. In
this whole period of half a century the total number of those who
have united with this Church on Profession of Faith and by
Certificate, and including the Charter Members, is approximately
275. At no time does its membership seem to have exceeded 60.
Its present membership is 40.
But though small in numbers, the Church's influence on her
members has been of an unusually constructive kind both in
22
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
establishing them in the faith, and in equipping them for service.
During this fifty year period, there has been, we might say, an
over-lapping of three generations. And each of these generations
as represented in the Elmwood Church, has produced a rather
large proportion of men and women who have been outstanding
in their influence, and in service rendered, both here and in various
communities to which they have moved.
So, in addition to those considered as employees in the
Church's work, we are glad to give an account of some of the
wider educational activities of Elmwood's sons and daughters.
Attention has already been called to the respective fields of
service of John A. Arey, R. \V. Pou, and Dr. Howard A. Banks,
and the several who are devoting their whole time as employees
in the Church's work. A number of Elmwood people are now
living in Statesville, N. C, and are continuing their Church
activities and interest there. Allen Cowan moved to Statesville
when quite a young man, and for years has been an Elder in the
First Presbyterian Church, of that city. There he teaches a class
of boys in the Sunday School. His brother, E. G. Cowan, is an
Elder in the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Jesse
M. Arey, who did such splendid work in directing construction
of the Church building, is an Elder in Front Street Church.
A number of Elmwood members and former members have
rendered outstanding service as Public School Teachers and as
leaders in various other ways. One who deserves special mention
was Mrs. Lottie Arey Walker, daughter of E. E. Arey. Early
in life she gave her heart to Christ. Her act in uniting with the
Church was more than a profession. It was a real sincere dedi-cation
of her whole self to the Lord. Wherever she went, as a
Sunday School Teacher and in other ways, she always gave to the
Church her best and whole-hearted service. She graduated from
the Woman's College in Greensboro, formerly known as the State
Normal College. She then taught in the Schools of Davidson.
North Carolina. In 1904 she became the wife of Rev. W. T.
Walker, long the efficient Superintendent of Barium Springs
Orphanage. One of the Cottages in that institution is named
in her honor—"The Lottie Walker Cottage." She has now been
dead several years. Throughout her lifetime her Christian influ-ence
was most effective. Her son, FRANK WALKER, is a baptized
son of Elmwood, having been baptized by Dr. William Black
in his second meeting here in October, 1920. Making his home
in Elmwood part of the time, he has done splendid work in the
Church here. He is now a student at Davidson College.
A sister of Mrs. Walker, MRS. LOLA Arey LONG, has already
been recorded in this paper as having rendered a splendid service
in helping to secure funds for the Church building, and as having
23
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
served as one of the Sunday School Teachers. Her College studies
were pursued in the Woman's College in Greensboro. The daugh-ter
of Mrs. Long, Mrs. HELEN Long GULLEDGE. graduated from
Mitchel College. Her home now is in Charlotte, North Carolina.
MRS. EDITH AREY WOMBLE, a sister of Mrs. Walker, gradu-ated
from Davenport College, and spent several years teaching in
the Wagram Public School, Wagram, North Carolina. She is
living there today.
Among the several former Elmwood Members attending
Mitchel College, was MRS. MAGGIE WOOD (Mrs. GEORGE R.)
ANDERSON, a Charter Member of this Church. Always a devout
Christian, since her marriage she has been a devoted and faithful
member of Broad Street Methodist Church, Statesville, N. C.
So far as we know, she is the only Charter member of Elmwood
still living.
Miss Catherine Thompson was Valedictorian of her class
in Mitchel College, also receiving in that institution the English
Medal and the Wood Bible Medal. In, 1938 she completed her
work in the Graduate School of Nursing in Watts Hospital,
Durham, North Carolina, and attained highest record in her class
in the examination conducted by the State Board of Examiners.
Mrs. Lottie Fleming Bruner, after attending Mitchel
College, spent several years in Stenographic and Bookkeeping
work in Statesville. In 1914 she entered the Teaching Profession,
and during most of the time has taught in the Primary Depart-ment.
Her work as teacher has been in the following schools:
Bailey, Amity, Acme, Fairfield, Pikeville, Landis, and Cleveland,
all in North Carolina. She is today a member of the Cleveland
Faculty.
Mrs. Willie Fleming Flowers, now living in Pikeville.
N. C, after attending Mitchel College, taught in the following
Schools: Salem, Pine Grove, Fairfield, Acme, Pikeville. and
Landis.
Mrs. S. K. CARSON, before her marriage had been a Public
School Teacher. During and after the World War she taught
in the Elmwood School.
Miss Edith Robinson, daughter of Rev. J. E. Robinson,
attended Mitchel College, graduating from that institution. In
addition to teaching in several other schools, she taught for several
years in Cleveland School, Cleveland. N. C.
Mrs. Mary Wood Thompson Di Costanzo. now living at
Chapel Hill, N. C, graduated from Mitchel College and from
Flora McDonald. She has taught in the following schools:
Amity, Mount Ulla, and Nahunta.
GILMER HARRIS graduated from State College. For some
years he taught Agriculture in the Robinsville School, and is now
24
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Agricultural Teacher in the Forest City School, Forest City, N. C.
MRS. MARY AREY Pou attended Woman's College, Greens-boro,
N. C, after which she taught in the schools of Mount Ulla
and at Barium Springs. She has also rendered a large service to
her community, County, and State in the field of Home Dem-onstration
Club Work, serving in 1929 as State President of the
North Carolina Home Demonstration Club. She was then made
"Master Farm Home Maker," and is today President of the State
Guild composed of the nineteen women in this state who have
been honored with the title "Master Farm Home Maker."
MRS. BEULAH AREY EUBANKS graduated from Mitchel Col-lege.
After teaching Home Economics for several years in Lowe's
Grove School, Durham County, N. C, she was made Home
Demonstration Agent for that county. Her untimely death came
after only four years in that important service.
Mrs. RUTH AREY McCLURE. after her regular College work,
took a special Home Economics Course in Columbia University.
After teaching this course two years in Bahama High School in
Durham County, N. C she served for several years as Home
Demonstration Agent for Montgomery County, Tennessee, and
for some time as District Agent. Also, she has continued an
active interest in the work of her Church, and is today serving
her second term as President of the Presbyterial Auxiliary of
Nashville Presbytery. Synod of Tennessee.
Part of the fine record of Miss EsTELLE FLEMING has been
referred to. From 1923 to 19 25 she was one of the Matrons at
Barium Springs Orphanage. Later she took nurses' training in
Richmond, Va.
Mrs. Dorothy DRY COWAN, after attending Mars Hill Col-lege
and the Assembly's Training School, devoted the summer of
1936 or a part of it. to teaching in the Daily Vacation Bible
Schools in Ashe County, N. C and the following summer in
Patrick Countv, Va. She continues her active interest by helping
in Bible School work in her husband's Churches each summer in
the Stokes-Surrv Field.
MRS. Mary Cowan GRAYBEAL attended Woman's College,
Greensboro. N. C. She is now living in Old Fort. N. C. has
proved herself an outstanding woman, both in her Church work
and usefulness in other ways. She has been very active as a Sunday
School Teacher, leader in Woman's Auxiliary and Personal
Workers Group. Besides devoting her time with such earnestness
of consecration in Church work, she has been active in many other
promotional matters—in the Parent-Teacher Association, has
been President of her local U. D. C. Chapter, was instrumental in
the establishment of a community library for her town, and
served four years as President of the Federation of Women's Clubs
25
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
of Old Fort.
It is apparent in a large section of this paper that the parents
in Elmwood Church have been unusually faithful in providing
their children with good educational opportunities. Mrs. MARY
Louise SHELL Beaver attended the Appalachian Teachers Col-lege
at Boone, N. C. Both WiLLARD Shell and WESLEY SHELL
attended State College.
JOE BILL POU graduated from State College as an Honor
Student in 1938, having in 1937 won the Danforth Fellowship.
He was a member of the Alpha Zeta and Phi Kappa Phi Fraterni-ties,
and was listed in "Who's Who" of American College Stu-dents.
PAUL THOMPSON had a very remarkable record at State
College. He was a member of Alpha Zeta and Phi Kappa Phi
Fraternities, was Assistant in the English Department in his Jun-ior
and Senior years, and graduated in 1939, standing fourth in
College rank in a class of 285. and first place in School rank in
a class of 75. At his graduation he was awarded a fellowship to
Cornell University, Ithaca. New York. He will have two years of
Post-graduate work in that institution.
Members of the Hendley Family have been outstanding in
their usefulness in a number of ways. They were reared in the
Sunday School here, most of them uniting with this Church.
CHARLES HENDLEY graduated from the University of North
Carolina with the A. B. degree, and received the M. A. degree
from Columbia University, New York City. For a number of
years he was Principal of Cornelius High School, Cornelius.
N. C. For several years he taught History in the High School of
Patterson, New Jersey. For the past eighteen years he has been
on the Faculty of the George Washington School in New York,
and is today head of the Teachers Union of New York City.
Two members of this family have demonstrated remarkable gifts
in the field of Journalism. FLOYD HENDLEY. who attended the
University of North Carolina, was for two years with the Char-lotte
News, Charlotte, N. C, four years with the Greensboro
News, and for the past nine years has been Managing Editor of
the Greensboro Record, Greensboro. N. C. Mrs. DAISY HENDLEY
GOLD pursued her College studies in the North Carolina College
for Women in Greensboro. Upon leaving College she took a
position as Reporter for the Statesville Sentinel, and later with the
Statesville Landmark. During the World War she was a Reporter
and Feature Writer for the Piedmont Daily in Greenville, South
Carolina, and for nearly twenty years has been Managing Editor
of the Wilson Daily Times, Wilson, N. C, which position she
holds today. She is the author of two books, the first one. "Tides
of Life." was written several years ago. The other one. a novel,
26
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
is expected to be ready for the press soon. Its title is "Those Bitter
Years."
It is most appropriate to give a few words concerning MlSS
SALLIE HAIR, not only a faithful member, but one of the most
devoted Christians in the life of this Church. It is one of the
writer's boyhood recollections that when the Church's member-ship
was perhaps at its smallest figure, and it was difficult to
secure much attendance at Sunday School and the other services,
even on very rainy Sundays at times when only two or three came,
Miss Sallie was always present. When she died a few years ago,
this splendid tribute appeared in the Statesville Daily, written by
one of her friends in the Elmwood Church: "The entire com-munity
feels impoverished with the loss of this beloved one. Her
character was that of a real Christian. Her life portrayed the
glory, the honor, and the beauty of the Christian religion. Her
life was like her Lord's. She poured it out for others. She loved
to do good. This was her aim in life. She spent it in doing only
that which was good and beautiful. In all life she exhibited a
gentleness and tenderness that was indeed most beautiful. She
was an active Church worker, and was most faithful in attend-ing
Church services, her place in Church being seldom vacant.
To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."
CONCLUSION
The first fifty years in the history of this Church have passed.
Its work was started when the community was much smaller
than it is now, when Agriculture and Saw-Milling were almost
the only occupations here (the Gilbert Lumber Mills were then
in this neighborhood) . While Agriculture is still the principal
occupation, the little village has grown considerably, and the
community has a much larger population than it had fifty years
ago. You now live on or in easy reach of one of the best high-ways
in the State, over which you can travel to Salisbury or
Statesville in a very few minutes, so that many can still live in
this fine Rural Community and attend daily their work in the
city.
The generation of men and women who were here fifty vears
ago, have now nearly all passed into the Great Bevond. They
were men and women of courage, of devotion to dutv. of stead-fastness
in the faith. So, they have laid the foundations, and have
wrought valiantly, leaving to us the heritage of wider horizons
and bigger opportunities. Upon these foundations we may build
with hope and confidence as we enter the second half century in
the life of Elmwood Presbyterian Church.
27
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
"I love Thy Kingdom, Lord,
The house of Thine abode,
The Church our blest Redeemer saved
With His own precious blood.
"I love Thy Church, O God!
Her walls before Thee stand,
Dear as the apple of Thine eye,
And graven on Thy hand.
"Sure as Thy truth shall last,
To Zion shall be giv'n
The brightest glories earth can yield,
And brighter bliss of heav'n."
28
GC 285.1756793 F597h
Fleming, John Kerr.
HZotElmwoodPresbvtenan Church,
3 3091 00142 6220
DATE DUE
CAYUORD PRINTED IN U.S. A.
I \jaMlorcl ==
PAMPHLET BINDER
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HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
1887-1939, ETMWOOD, NORTH CAROLINA
John K. Fleming
285.1756793
E597h
^orth Carolina State Library
Raleigh
HISTORY OF
Elmwood Presbyterian Church
1887 - 1939
ELMWOOD, NORTH CAROLINA
By
Rev. John K. Fleming
*—
.
, . „_„„_„„_„„_„„ -—. - ,»
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013
http://archive.org/details/historyofelmwoodOOjohn
North Carolina State Library
Raleigh
HISTORY OF
Elmwood Presbyterian Church
1887 - 1939
ELMWOOD, NORTH CAROLINA
By
Rev. John K. Fleming
PREFACE
There are several factors that make the history of a local
Church. They are: the religious influences found among the early
settlers of the community, the steps leading to and culminating in
the Church's organization, the Pastoral administration of each
Minister serving the Church, a record of the Church activities of
the Elders and Deacons and of other leaders in the Church's work,
the organized activities as embraced in the Church's program, and
finally the out-reach of the Church's work in the streams of influ-ence
going out to other communities and Churches in the charac-ter
and service of her sons and daughters. Out of the 275 persons
who during the past fifty years have been members of Elmwood
Presbyterian Church, approximately 84 have had some position
of leadership or particular usefulness in one or more Churches and
communities, or, have had special training by education for such.
To all who assisted me in gathering material for this paper,
I am sincerely grateful. Every one from whom I sought informa-tion
responded most cordially and promptly. Valuable informa-tion
was obtained from the following:
Mr. J. W. Thompson, Clerk of Elmwood Session, who placed
in my hands the Sessional Records, Volumes I and II, and the
Church's Roll Book;
Rev. E. D. Brown, D. D., Pastor of Elmwood Church and
Stated Clerk of Concord Presbytery, who gave me access to the
Presbytery's Records;
Rev. S. M. Tenney, D. D., who supplied me with some im-portant
facts from records filed in The Historical Foundation of
Presbyterian and Reformed Churches, Montreat, N. C.
Several Elmwood members and former members gave me im-portant
information. Of especial assistance in this matter was
Mrs. W. C. Pou. Without her splendid help it would have been
almost impossible to have gathered sufficient material for this
writing.
The main body of this paper was read at the Semi-Centennial
Celebration of Elmwood Presbyterian Church, July 25, 1939.
But additional time was needed for obtaining some important
facts, and that accounts for the little delay in printing. Its prepa-ration
has been a real pleasure to me.
John K. Fleming,
Mount Airy N, C,
Sept. 7, 1939.
2
THE
FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Of the Organization of the
ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
JULY 25, 1939
Hymn "Faith of Our Fathers"
Scripture Rev. Earl F. Thompson
Invocation Rev. W. L. Baker
Welcome Address Rev. E. D. Brown, D. D.
Hymn "How Firm a Foundation"
History of the Church Rev. John K. Fleming
Special Music Mrs. Elizabeth Cowan Pressly
"The Lord Is My Shepherd"
Recognition of Former Pastors and Other Members
—
Rev. John K. Fleming
Address Rev. J. Harper Brady
Hymn "Blest Be the Tie That Binds"
Benediction
OUTLINE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
1. Racial and Religious Influences in Western North Carolina.
2. Early Presbyterian Churches in Rowan and Iredell.
3. Third Creek—Mother Church of Elmwcod.
I. Organization of the Church
1. Historical Statement from Sessional Records.
2. The Church Constituted for Service.
II. Ministers Who Have Served Elmwood Church
1. Ministers who preached in Elmwood before the Church was
organized: Rev. A. Walker White, and probably other Third
Creek Pastors immediately preceding him, and Rev. T. J.
Allison.
2. Pastors:
T. J. Allison 1888-1891
R. S. Arrowood 1891-1895
J. E. Summers 1901-1903
T. H. Spence 1905-1907
J. H. Brady 1915-1917
J. A. Smith 1917-1919
J. T. Hall 1919-1920
W. L. Baker 1921-1922
J. E. Robinson 1923-1928
E. D. Brown, D. D 1929-
3. Stated Supplies:
W. J. Tidball 1903-1905
W. S. Wilhelm 1907-1909
Cornelius Miller 1909
L. H. Query 1910-1913
Rev. Noaker (Reformed Minister) 1914
III. Church Officers
1. Ruling Elders:
J. J. Long 1888-1901
Henry L. Fleming 1888-1923
Benjamin E. Arey 1888-1928
R. Thomas Cowan 1902-1910
Robert W. Pou 1910-1919
John A. Arey 1911-1916
4
John W. Thompson 1919-
Walter R. Byford 1920-1922
Samuel K. Carson 1920-
Parks R. Shell 1928-
Jacob H. Shuford 1934-
2. Deacons: Year Installed
W. L. Gilbert 1888
J. A. Wolfe 1888
* R. T. Cowan 1891
J. Avery Early 1902
J. Chap Turner 1 904
John A. Arey 1907
Ralph Fleming 1907
Jesse M. Arey 1909
James Anderson 1911
W. Clarence Pou 1916
G. W. Dry 1919
J. M. Bruner 1920
C. E. Reitzel 1934
3. Church Treasurers:
W. L. Gilbert
J. Chap. Turner
Jesse M. Arey
Miss Es^elle Fleming
W. R. Byford
J. M. Bruner
C. E. Reitzel
W' C. Pou
4. Trustees of the Church:
J. J. Lona, E. E. Arey Elected in 1 888
B. E. Arey, J. A. Early Elected in 1903
J. M. Arev, R. W. Pou. Ed Long Elected in 1909
S. K. Carson. \V. C. Pou. G. W. Dry . Elected in 1922
IV. Organized Activities
1
.
Sunday School—Superintendents and Teachers.
2. Young People's Christian Endeavor Society.
3. The Woman's Auxiliary.
4. Music—Organists and Pianists for the Church.
V. Grounds and Buildings
1. First Services in the J. J. Long Store.
5
2. The Chapel 1887-1911.
3. The Public School Building 1911-1914.
4. Construction of Church—Dedication—S. S. Rooms.
5. Efforts for a Cemetery.
VI. In Ministerial and Missionary Service
1. In the Ministry:
John Kerr Fleming—Ordained in 1922.
Earl Fleming Thompson—Ordained in 1935. •
2. A Foreign Missionary:
Miss Allie May Arey—Missionary to Cuba.
3. A Home Missionary:
Miss Lillie Fleming (Now Mrs. M. G. Lyerly)—Ten years
full time service in Home Missions.
VII. Leaders in Wider Educational Activities
Leaders In Church and Community Life.
Public School Teachers.
Journalists.
Farm Demonstration Agents.
Dairy Experts and Directors.
Leaders in Home Economics.
Conclusion
1. Elmwood Fifty Years Ago and Today.
2. The Heritage—Wider Horizons, Bigger Opportunities.
3. "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Introduction
The early history of western North Carolina is largely the
development of two groups of Colonial Settlers—namely the Ger-man
and Scotch-Irish, who came, mostly from Pennsylvania. The
German group settled for the most part on land west of the
Catawba River, east of the Yadkin River, and in southern Rowan
and Cabarrus Counties, while the Scotch-Irish settled in what is
now western Rowan, part of Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Iredell
Counties.
The earliest Presbyterian Churches in this region were Thya-tira,
Fourth Creek (First Presbyterian Church of Statesville)
,
Third Creek, Bethany, Joppa (Mocksville) , Unity and Back
Creek. Later there came into being the following Churches: Frank-lin,
Salisbury, Bethesda, and Fifth Creek. Surrounded therefore,
as it was and is by these older Churches, one may very readily
conclude that what is now the Elmwood community was from
its earliest days inhabited by a predominant Scotch-Irish Presby-terian
constituency.
The Congregations of Bethesda and Third Creek, and more
especially that of Third Creek Church formed the immediate
background for the organization of Elmwood Church.
It is not known by the writer just when the first Presbyterian
services were held in Elmwood. In 1883 Rev. A. Walker White
became th? Pastor of Third Creek and Fifth Creek Churches.
In 1884 Mr. George F. Shepherd deeded one acre of ground
in Elmwood community to John G. Fleming, John W. Steele,
William A. Luckev, John N. Phifer, and Robert N. Flem-ing,
Trustees of Third Creek Church. Upon this lot near
where Mr. J. H. Shuford's store now is, the Congregation of
Third Creek erected a neat, comfortable manse, Rev. A. W. White
being the first Minister to live in it. These details are related
because there is good reason to believe that the residence of Third
Creek Ministers here had much to do with the origin of the Elm-wood
Church. Mr. White had a schedule of regular services here,
using the upper room of the J. J. Long Store building. This
building, a wooden structure, is still used by Mr. Ed Long, who
succeeded his father as manager of the Mercantile Business. Other
Ministers before the time of Mr. White's Pastorate, may have
preached here, too, but we do not have very definite information
on that point. In 1887, the last year of Mr. White's residence
here, a lot near the home of Mr. Avery Early was donated by
Major P. B. Chambers, and upon it was erected the Elmwood
Chapel, being at that time a part of the work of Third Creek
Church. Regular services were then held in the new Chapel by
Mr. White and the succeeding Ministers.
7
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
I. Organization of the Church
The following Historical Statement taken from Volume I
Sessional Records .gives a full and accurate account of the organi-zation
of Elmwood Church:
"In the month of August and first part of September, 1888,
a petition was circulated among the citizens of Elmwood, N. C,
and surrounding community which received fifty-three signatures
from persons, who, either desired the organization of a Presby-terian
Church at Elmwood, N. C, or were favorable to such
organization.
"This petition was presented to Concord Presbytery in session
at Taylorsville, N. C, September 14-17, 1888, asking that a
Commission be appointed to visit Elmwood, and organize a
Church, if the way be clear. The Presbytery by unanimous vote,,
granted the request of the petitioners, and aopointed on that Com-mission
the following persons: Rev. W. A. Wood, D. D., Rev.
William W. Pharr, Rev. J. A. Ramsay, The Honorable A. Leazar,
John K. Graham, Esquire, Professor J. H. Hill, and Dr. J. R. B.
Adams.
"This Commission met, pursuant to the call of the Chairman,
in Elmwood Chapel, Elmwood, N. C, on December 12, 1888.
All members of the Commission were present except Mr. Leazar.
"After the regular organization of the Commission, Elmwood
Church was organized according to prescribed form in the Book
of Church Order. The persons who entered into this organiza-tion,
are the following: Mrs. M. M. Fleming, J. J. Gilbert, W. L.
Gilbert and wife, Victoria Gilbert (and their baptized child,
Mary Elizabeth), Mrs. M. M. Wood (and her baptized children,
D. Burton and Leonidas Cowan), Miss Maggie N. Wood, James
S. Wood, J. A. Wolfe and wife, Sarah J. Wolfe (and their bap-tized
children, Joseph Blythe, James Hunter, Charles Howard,
Alexander Burette, and Emma Cornelia) , Miss Mary E. Nola
Wolfe, R. T. Cowan and wife, Annie E. Cowan (and their bap-tized
children, Benjamin Allen, Katie McNeill, James Knox,
Annie, Thomas Howard, and Elmer Gillespie) . Mrs. Matilda
Poston, and Mrs. 'Lillie S. Childress on Certificate from Third
Creek Church; Henry Fleming (and his baptized children, Mar-garet
Jane, Annie Adelia, Ralph Harvev, and Laura Estelle)
,
Benjamin E. Arey and wife, Mary Davis Arey (and their baptized
children, Bessie May and John Allen), E. E. Arey and wife, Alice
E. Arey (and their baptized children, Charles Cornelius, Lottie
Raynor, Margaret, Loretta, Forest Herbert, William Floyd, Oscar
Homer, Jessie Marvin, and Edwin Burton), Mrs. Sarah E. Beard,
Mrs. Annie E. Hauser (and her baptized son, Claude Lee), and
A. Franklin Beard, on Certificate from Bethesda Church; J. J.
8
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH X\
Long and wife, Mary Long, and Miss Cora A. Long, on Certifi-cate
from High Point Church; Mrs. Nettie Allison (and her
baptized children, Thomas o 1924;
Gilbert, West Virginia. 1925 to 1926: and Thomasville. N. C .
1926 to 1934. In 193 5 he accepted a call to Flat Rock Church,
Mount Airv, N. C. and is serving in that field today.
The other member of Elmwood Church entering the Min-istry
was EARL FLEMING THOMPSON, who was born near Elm-wood.
N. C. in 1909. In 1919 he united with Third Creek
Church, and a few weeks later transferred his membership to Elm-wood.
He graduated from Davidson College in 1931 and from
Union Seminary in 19 34. He was licensed by Concord Presby-
21
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
tery in September, 1934, serving for the next six months as
Stated Supply of Front Street Church, Statesville, N. C. He
was ordained by Kings Mountain Presbytery May 5, 1935, and
for the next two years was Pastor of Union Mills and Brittain
Churches. His present Pastorate is that of Lake Waccamaw and
Ashwood Churches in Wilmington Presbytery, which he accepted
in 1937.
The one member of Elmwood Church who has entered the
active work of Foreign Missions is MlSS ALLIE May AREY. The
daughter. of E. E. Arey, and member of one of the most loyal
Christian homes of the community, she united with this Church
on Profession of Faith in 1903. She graduated from Mitchel
College about the year 1910 or 1911, later taking Post-Graduate
work in the University of Alabama, and White's Bible School,
New York. She thus entered upon her life's work splendidly
equipped, both with consecration and devotion to high ideals,
and with excellent educational qualifications. She has been a
Missionary to Cuba since about the year 1918, serving as a
teacher in the Presbyterian School of Cordenas, Cuba. She has
had part on the program of many Foreign Mission Conferences
and other Church Meetings in this country, and has spoken in
every state except two.
Elmwood has also had one member to devote considerable
time in Home Mission work. This is MRS. LlLLIE FLEMING
LYERLY. When a small girl she united with Third Creek Church,
and later transferred her membership to Elmwood. She gradu-ated
from Mitchel College in 1917 and devoted the next two
years to teaching, one year as Principal of Central High School
in Rowan County, and one year as Principal of the Wentworth
High School, Wentworth, N. C. She then entered the Assembly's
Training School from which she graduated in 1921. After
pursuing her studies in Richmond, she devoted almost ten years
to work in various Home Mission Fields, serving one summer in
Carol County, Virginia, four years in Gilbert, West Virginia,
and for five years as Director of Young People's Work in the
Second Presbyterian Church, Lexington, North Carolina.
VII. Leaders In Educational Activities
Elmwood Church has always been in the class of small
Churches so far as the number of members is concerned. In
this whole period of half a century the total number of those who
have united with this Church on Profession of Faith and by
Certificate, and including the Charter Members, is approximately
275. At no time does its membership seem to have exceeded 60.
Its present membership is 40.
But though small in numbers, the Church's influence on her
members has been of an unusually constructive kind both in
22
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
establishing them in the faith, and in equipping them for service.
During this fifty year period, there has been, we might say, an
over-lapping of three generations. And each of these generations
as represented in the Elmwood Church, has produced a rather
large proportion of men and women who have been outstanding
in their influence, and in service rendered, both here and in various
communities to which they have moved.
So, in addition to those considered as employees in the
Church's work, we are glad to give an account of some of the
wider educational activities of Elmwood's sons and daughters.
Attention has already been called to the respective fields of
service of John A. Arey, R. \V. Pou, and Dr. Howard A. Banks,
and the several who are devoting their whole time as employees
in the Church's work. A number of Elmwood people are now
living in Statesville, N. C, and are continuing their Church
activities and interest there. Allen Cowan moved to Statesville
when quite a young man, and for years has been an Elder in the
First Presbyterian Church, of that city. There he teaches a class
of boys in the Sunday School. His brother, E. G. Cowan, is an
Elder in the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. Jesse
M. Arey, who did such splendid work in directing construction
of the Church building, is an Elder in Front Street Church.
A number of Elmwood members and former members have
rendered outstanding service as Public School Teachers and as
leaders in various other ways. One who deserves special mention
was Mrs. Lottie Arey Walker, daughter of E. E. Arey. Early
in life she gave her heart to Christ. Her act in uniting with the
Church was more than a profession. It was a real sincere dedi-cation
of her whole self to the Lord. Wherever she went, as a
Sunday School Teacher and in other ways, she always gave to the
Church her best and whole-hearted service. She graduated from
the Woman's College in Greensboro, formerly known as the State
Normal College. She then taught in the Schools of Davidson.
North Carolina. In 1904 she became the wife of Rev. W. T.
Walker, long the efficient Superintendent of Barium Springs
Orphanage. One of the Cottages in that institution is named
in her honor—"The Lottie Walker Cottage." She has now been
dead several years. Throughout her lifetime her Christian influ-ence
was most effective. Her son, FRANK WALKER, is a baptized
son of Elmwood, having been baptized by Dr. William Black
in his second meeting here in October, 1920. Making his home
in Elmwood part of the time, he has done splendid work in the
Church here. He is now a student at Davidson College.
A sister of Mrs. Walker, MRS. LOLA Arey LONG, has already
been recorded in this paper as having rendered a splendid service
in helping to secure funds for the Church building, and as having
23
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
served as one of the Sunday School Teachers. Her College studies
were pursued in the Woman's College in Greensboro. The daugh-ter
of Mrs. Long, Mrs. HELEN Long GULLEDGE. graduated from
Mitchel College. Her home now is in Charlotte, North Carolina.
MRS. EDITH AREY WOMBLE, a sister of Mrs. Walker, gradu-ated
from Davenport College, and spent several years teaching in
the Wagram Public School, Wagram, North Carolina. She is
living there today.
Among the several former Elmwood Members attending
Mitchel College, was MRS. MAGGIE WOOD (Mrs. GEORGE R.)
ANDERSON, a Charter Member of this Church. Always a devout
Christian, since her marriage she has been a devoted and faithful
member of Broad Street Methodist Church, Statesville, N. C.
So far as we know, she is the only Charter member of Elmwood
still living.
Miss Catherine Thompson was Valedictorian of her class
in Mitchel College, also receiving in that institution the English
Medal and the Wood Bible Medal. In, 1938 she completed her
work in the Graduate School of Nursing in Watts Hospital,
Durham, North Carolina, and attained highest record in her class
in the examination conducted by the State Board of Examiners.
Mrs. Lottie Fleming Bruner, after attending Mitchel
College, spent several years in Stenographic and Bookkeeping
work in Statesville. In 1914 she entered the Teaching Profession,
and during most of the time has taught in the Primary Depart-ment.
Her work as teacher has been in the following schools:
Bailey, Amity, Acme, Fairfield, Pikeville, Landis, and Cleveland,
all in North Carolina. She is today a member of the Cleveland
Faculty.
Mrs. Willie Fleming Flowers, now living in Pikeville.
N. C, after attending Mitchel College, taught in the following
Schools: Salem, Pine Grove, Fairfield, Acme, Pikeville. and
Landis.
Mrs. S. K. CARSON, before her marriage had been a Public
School Teacher. During and after the World War she taught
in the Elmwood School.
Miss Edith Robinson, daughter of Rev. J. E. Robinson,
attended Mitchel College, graduating from that institution. In
addition to teaching in several other schools, she taught for several
years in Cleveland School, Cleveland. N. C.
Mrs. Mary Wood Thompson Di Costanzo. now living at
Chapel Hill, N. C, graduated from Mitchel College and from
Flora McDonald. She has taught in the following schools:
Amity, Mount Ulla, and Nahunta.
GILMER HARRIS graduated from State College. For some
years he taught Agriculture in the Robinsville School, and is now
24
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Agricultural Teacher in the Forest City School, Forest City, N. C.
MRS. MARY AREY Pou attended Woman's College, Greens-boro,
N. C, after which she taught in the schools of Mount Ulla
and at Barium Springs. She has also rendered a large service to
her community, County, and State in the field of Home Dem-onstration
Club Work, serving in 1929 as State President of the
North Carolina Home Demonstration Club. She was then made
"Master Farm Home Maker," and is today President of the State
Guild composed of the nineteen women in this state who have
been honored with the title "Master Farm Home Maker."
MRS. BEULAH AREY EUBANKS graduated from Mitchel Col-lege.
After teaching Home Economics for several years in Lowe's
Grove School, Durham County, N. C, she was made Home
Demonstration Agent for that county. Her untimely death came
after only four years in that important service.
Mrs. RUTH AREY McCLURE. after her regular College work,
took a special Home Economics Course in Columbia University.
After teaching this course two years in Bahama High School in
Durham County, N. C she served for several years as Home
Demonstration Agent for Montgomery County, Tennessee, and
for some time as District Agent. Also, she has continued an
active interest in the work of her Church, and is today serving
her second term as President of the Presbyterial Auxiliary of
Nashville Presbytery. Synod of Tennessee.
Part of the fine record of Miss EsTELLE FLEMING has been
referred to. From 1923 to 19 25 she was one of the Matrons at
Barium Springs Orphanage. Later she took nurses' training in
Richmond, Va.
Mrs. Dorothy DRY COWAN, after attending Mars Hill Col-lege
and the Assembly's Training School, devoted the summer of
1936 or a part of it. to teaching in the Daily Vacation Bible
Schools in Ashe County, N. C and the following summer in
Patrick Countv, Va. She continues her active interest by helping
in Bible School work in her husband's Churches each summer in
the Stokes-Surrv Field.
MRS. Mary Cowan GRAYBEAL attended Woman's College,
Greensboro. N. C. She is now living in Old Fort. N. C. has
proved herself an outstanding woman, both in her Church work
and usefulness in other ways. She has been very active as a Sunday
School Teacher, leader in Woman's Auxiliary and Personal
Workers Group. Besides devoting her time with such earnestness
of consecration in Church work, she has been active in many other
promotional matters—in the Parent-Teacher Association, has
been President of her local U. D. C. Chapter, was instrumental in
the establishment of a community library for her town, and
served four years as President of the Federation of Women's Clubs
25
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
of Old Fort.
It is apparent in a large section of this paper that the parents
in Elmwood Church have been unusually faithful in providing
their children with good educational opportunities. Mrs. MARY
Louise SHELL Beaver attended the Appalachian Teachers Col-lege
at Boone, N. C. Both WiLLARD Shell and WESLEY SHELL
attended State College.
JOE BILL POU graduated from State College as an Honor
Student in 1938, having in 1937 won the Danforth Fellowship.
He was a member of the Alpha Zeta and Phi Kappa Phi Fraterni-ties,
and was listed in "Who's Who" of American College Stu-dents.
PAUL THOMPSON had a very remarkable record at State
College. He was a member of Alpha Zeta and Phi Kappa Phi
Fraternities, was Assistant in the English Department in his Jun-ior
and Senior years, and graduated in 1939, standing fourth in
College rank in a class of 285. and first place in School rank in
a class of 75. At his graduation he was awarded a fellowship to
Cornell University, Ithaca. New York. He will have two years of
Post-graduate work in that institution.
Members of the Hendley Family have been outstanding in
their usefulness in a number of ways. They were reared in the
Sunday School here, most of them uniting with this Church.
CHARLES HENDLEY graduated from the University of North
Carolina with the A. B. degree, and received the M. A. degree
from Columbia University, New York City. For a number of
years he was Principal of Cornelius High School, Cornelius.
N. C. For several years he taught History in the High School of
Patterson, New Jersey. For the past eighteen years he has been
on the Faculty of the George Washington School in New York,
and is today head of the Teachers Union of New York City.
Two members of this family have demonstrated remarkable gifts
in the field of Journalism. FLOYD HENDLEY. who attended the
University of North Carolina, was for two years with the Char-lotte
News, Charlotte, N. C, four years with the Greensboro
News, and for the past nine years has been Managing Editor of
the Greensboro Record, Greensboro. N. C. Mrs. DAISY HENDLEY
GOLD pursued her College studies in the North Carolina College
for Women in Greensboro. Upon leaving College she took a
position as Reporter for the Statesville Sentinel, and later with the
Statesville Landmark. During the World War she was a Reporter
and Feature Writer for the Piedmont Daily in Greenville, South
Carolina, and for nearly twenty years has been Managing Editor
of the Wilson Daily Times, Wilson, N. C, which position she
holds today. She is the author of two books, the first one. "Tides
of Life." was written several years ago. The other one. a novel,
26
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
is expected to be ready for the press soon. Its title is "Those Bitter
Years."
It is most appropriate to give a few words concerning MlSS
SALLIE HAIR, not only a faithful member, but one of the most
devoted Christians in the life of this Church. It is one of the
writer's boyhood recollections that when the Church's member-ship
was perhaps at its smallest figure, and it was difficult to
secure much attendance at Sunday School and the other services,
even on very rainy Sundays at times when only two or three came,
Miss Sallie was always present. When she died a few years ago,
this splendid tribute appeared in the Statesville Daily, written by
one of her friends in the Elmwood Church: "The entire com-munity
feels impoverished with the loss of this beloved one. Her
character was that of a real Christian. Her life portrayed the
glory, the honor, and the beauty of the Christian religion. Her
life was like her Lord's. She poured it out for others. She loved
to do good. This was her aim in life. She spent it in doing only
that which was good and beautiful. In all life she exhibited a
gentleness and tenderness that was indeed most beautiful. She
was an active Church worker, and was most faithful in attend-ing
Church services, her place in Church being seldom vacant.
To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."
CONCLUSION
The first fifty years in the history of this Church have passed.
Its work was started when the community was much smaller
than it is now, when Agriculture and Saw-Milling were almost
the only occupations here (the Gilbert Lumber Mills were then
in this neighborhood) . While Agriculture is still the principal
occupation, the little village has grown considerably, and the
community has a much larger population than it had fifty years
ago. You now live on or in easy reach of one of the best high-ways
in the State, over which you can travel to Salisbury or
Statesville in a very few minutes, so that many can still live in
this fine Rural Community and attend daily their work in the
city.
The generation of men and women who were here fifty vears
ago, have now nearly all passed into the Great Bevond. They
were men and women of courage, of devotion to dutv. of stead-fastness
in the faith. So, they have laid the foundations, and have
wrought valiantly, leaving to us the heritage of wider horizons
and bigger opportunities. Upon these foundations we may build
with hope and confidence as we enter the second half century in
the life of Elmwood Presbyterian Church.
27
HISTORY OF ELMWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
"I love Thy Kingdom, Lord,
The house of Thine abode,
The Church our blest Redeemer saved
With His own precious blood.
"I love Thy Church, O God!
Her walls before Thee stand,
Dear as the apple of Thine eye,
And graven on Thy hand.
"Sure as Thy truth shall last,
To Zion shall be giv'n
The brightest glories earth can yield,
And brighter bliss of heav'n."
28
GC 285.1756793 F597h
Fleming, John Kerr.
HZotElmwoodPresbvtenan Church,
3 3091 00142 6220
DATE DUE
CAYUORD PRINTED IN U.S. A.
I \jaMlorcl ==
PAMPHLET BINDER
Syracuse, N. Y.
Stockton, Calif.
NORTH CAROLINIANA
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